Anyone else's child starting or started in Y1 (having missed reception)?

[girlwithagruffalotattoo]

I am 99% sure that my request for summer born dd to start reception this Sept, so it's looking like she'll have to go into Year 1. I'm really worrying, so if anyone can tell me some positive stories I'd really appreciate it!

Will she be supported in things like knowing her way around and how things work on a day to day basis? Will they give her extra support with academic stuff as she hasn't done reception? Will she be able to make friends? Will she be ok? :'(

[CodyKing]

If you were home educating -when were you planning on starting?

Have a look at Oxford owl - free to join and has games at the end of each book with phonic sounds - it can also read to your child

[petalsandstars]

Have you got any phonics style reading books for her - at least then going in with the structure in place of what to expect from reading levels.

[Johnny5isAlive]

Is it a 1-form intake? If not, then the making friends aspect may be irrelevant to a certain extent, as they may mix around the classes between years

[2catsnowaiting]

Songbirds is a useful set of phonics books written by Julia Donalson which are funny as well as helping to practise phonics. I also second looking at Oxford Owl, loads of free e-books on there.

[Obeliskherder]

Agree with PP, Y1s are a lovely bunch IME, very accepting and all queuing up to be friends with the new girl.

My Y2 still gets nervous of doing errands alone, but he does it for his teacher and extra big stickers! Point being, even at the end of infants he gets support and encouragement when he finds something difficult. He's not just expected to get on with it.

With phonics, our school were keen to stress that LMN are "lll" "mmm" "nnn" rather than "luh, muh, nuh"

[3asAbird]

Did not get any of 3 preferences so

Home educated and pta nursery plus clubs rainbows /sports.

Just before end summer term got 3rd preference so did just 4 weeks reception

Straight into year 1

At first little behind.
Now nearly end of year 1 and flying.
It made very little difference
Infact she seems better now academic than eldest in year 1 who did full year reception

[Feenie]

Is the a reason yet from the OP 're not starting in Reception?

I'm sure the child.concerned will catch up and be up to speed in no time. However, the school will need to ensure one to one catch up interventions are in place to make this happen, at considerable cost to the school. I'm not sure parents always realise that when making a decision to start their child later.

[CodyKing]

I think if OP has home schooled for reception year then the child should have been taught phonics basic writing and maths skills - lots of info available -

The child getting quality one to one tuition at home would surely be higher in the class?

[mrz]

The OPs post don't support that I'm afraid Cody.
Like Feenie I don't doubt the child can catch up but agree there is a cost.

[SisterViktorine]

Will they give her extra support with academic stuff as she hasn't done reception?

The OP states from the outset that she is hoping for extra help for her DD.

As the owner of and August born who would undoubtedly have an easier time of it in the year below, I really wish the parents of summer borns had a choice which year they went into. However, we currently don't and I really don't think the OP has helped the school at all by keeping her DD at home and not helping her to keep up. There is little enough extra support to go round for pupils who need it, never mind giving it to the DC of parents who decided the system didn't suit them, in my opinion.

[smellyboot]

I'd start now too. There are quite a few weeks left and it would help the child and the school to get settled and not delay further. She can then get used to school and the teachers find out what help she might need

[Mrsfrumble]

We'll be moving back to the UK from the USA this summer with a 5 year old in tow, so this thread is very useful!

He's been at school here, but I think what he's been learning in pre-kindergarten is not up to the level of Reception in the UK; they've not been doing any phonics at all.

We're big Julia Donaldson fans so will definitely look into the Songbird books and see what we can fit in between arranging an international move.

[girlwithagruffalotattoo]

Quick update, the LEA has agreed to allow dd to start reception this Sept as opposed to going into Year 1 as she is summer born. It took me arguing my position to some extent so if you feel your child would be better off delaying entry then you need to do your homework (ha) and then fight for that.

Am a bit at those who've been quite negative about me without knowing anything about our circumstances or the plans we had in place before those circumstances came about. Weird.

Thanks to everyone who's been supportive and reassuring, I'm really pleased at how things have turned out, or at least, this is far and away the best outcome in a shitty situation

[Mrsfrumble]

That's really good news girl!

I don’t think it would be a proper MN thread if the wasn't at least one needlessly negative and unhelpful post.

I kind of wish I could start DS in reception but he's November-born, so there's no chance. I'll do my best to teach him some phonics before September, but every time I mention him learning to read he says a polite but very firm "NO THANK YOU MUMMY!"...

[Feenie]

I don't think pointing out the facts of the situation from the point of school finance is necessarily negative.

[GrandmaJosephine]

People it is your right to start at school a summer born (April- August) child the term after they start 5 so the September for most summer borns.

There is according to summer born guidance from the department of education no statutory barrier to start age 5 in reception. However many councils still want to force them into year 1 and of course many schools are full.

Nick Gibb, MP for schools (?) announced last year he would give summer born childrens' parents the choice to do this but the consultation hasn't happened, matters are dragging.

Many councils are starting to be more flexible so please be aware of your rights and if you want a support group "flexible admissions for summer borns" is a Facebook group you can join for advice.

[Mrsfrumble]

But what purpose does it serve in the case of the OP feenie, other than to try and make her feel bad? Facts might have been helpful if she was considering skipping reception for her child in the future, but as things stood it was already too late to influence her desicion.

[bobbinpop]

That's brilliant news girl! Very happy for you!

[Feenie]

But there'll be other MNers who will be considering their child's start at school - just look at GrandmaJosephine's post, for example - and who will want to weigh up all the advantages/disadvantages.

Are you seriously suggesting that we pretend there isn't a heavy burden on schools in this situation in case we upset someone?

[Dixiechickonhols]

Good news op. Whilst la are onside I'd get it in writing she can stay permanently out of year to avoid any hassle if she moves school especially at transition to secondary age.

[DrinkFeckArseGirls]

Did you check with them what happens when she goes to secondary school? Will she have to gonafter Y5, missing on Y6?

[Mrsfrumble]

^shrugs^

It seems to me like there's a time and a place, and on a thread where the OP is already stressed about a situation and can't go back in time to change things, it might be kinder (and more helpful to other posters considering it) to start a separate thread on the pros and cons of a delayed start.

There are many, many things wrong with the U.S. educational system, but one positive I have observed is a reasonable amount of flexibility on starting ages and repeating school years if necessary, rather than relentlessly pushing everyone forwards based on calender age rather than ability. It's good to see that many LAs in the UK are starting to allow a delayed start for summer borns and I'm glad that it looks as if OP's child will benefit from this.

[girlwithagruffalotattoo]

drinkfeckarse, no I didn't. I don't think any of us can predict what will happen in 7 years or how the system will have changed but from what people are saying now (teachers in secondary and parents who's children are moving up to secondary) they don't really clock the year of birth, the child would just move from primary to secondary as usual. They would have to prove it was in her best interests to skip a year which would be extremely hard to do I think. Hopefully by then there will be legislation in place to protect summer born's rights to delay but who knows.

If anyone is on Facebook and interested in delaying entry search for a group called "flexible school admissions for summer borns", there are lots on there who know their stuff so it's a good place to ask questions.

[girlwithagruffalotattoo]

Mrs frumble, good luck with your son's starting school.

[nanetterose]

We had a couple of things mentioned in this conversation. We had an August born child changing from the American system. It would have meant him going from 2nd grade in the March & entering yr5 by the September of the same year. Our head was more than helpful, and we were able to retain him. When he went to Secondary school, this plan stayed in place. As he us a very late August birthday, he is never the 'wrong' age for that school year.Glad it worked out for you op